The Ultimate Tales of the Cocktail Survival Guide

Summer in New Orleans is no joke. The one-two punch of heat and humidity demands a Daiquiri—or two—before noon. If you’re in town for Tales of the Cocktail, you need a game plan of places for cooling off and refueling. This handy user guide is built with those goals in mind. It’s a curated list of places to eat, relax, and, of course, drink—all organized by proximity to the French Quarter. This is not a comprehensive list. That’s an impossible feat in a city like New Orleans. But it will sure do you right when you start exploring the City That Care Forgot. —Sarah Baird

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1.
EXPLORE: Dong Phuong/Vietnamese Farmer’s Market

Let’s just establish this upfront: New Orleans East is a haul from the French Quarter, and you’re probably going to have…

Let’s just establish this upfront: New Orleans East is a haul from the French Quarter, and you’re probably going to have to convince a friend with a car to take you. When you arrive at Dong Phuong Bakery, though, and bite into its fluffy, crusty banh mi baguette, all that trouble will melt away. Home to one of the most substantial Vietnamese populations in the United States, spending the morning wandering around the produce-laden Village de l’Est farmers market while sipping a Vietnamese coffee (then topping it off with a red bean bubble tea) is the stuff of summertime dreams.
Know Before You Go: The farmers market gets started around sunrise (6 a.m.) and for the best experience, it’s good to arrive early. Save room for lunch at Dong Phuong, where the Vietnamese sausage banh mi is the choice pick.

2.
RELAX: Bayou St. John Corridor

One of the most lush, greenery-filled areas of New Orleans, Bayou St. John feels like a nature retreat smack dab in…

One of the most lush, greenery-filled areas of New Orleans, Bayou St. John feels like a nature retreat smack dab in the middle of the city. The bayou cuts directly through the neighborhood and is an ideal place for kayaking, paddle boarding or simply enjoying a picnic along the water’s edge or on the pedestrian bridge. For even more outdoorsy activity, City Park—and the must-visit New Orleans Museum of Art’s sculpture garden—bump up directly to the water. It offers a number of recreational opportunities, from admiring stately, moss-lined oaks and promenading swans to playing a round of mini golf while eating beignets from the park’s outpost of Morning Call.

Know Before You Go: If you’re thirsty, head to Pal’s Lounge (949 N. Rendon) for a quick round of air hockey and an Old Pal cocktail before a different kind of lounging by the bayou.

Ferry to Algiers Point
1 Canal Street
New Orleans, LA 70130

A neighborhood directly across the river from the French Quarter but half a world away, Algiers Point is a village-like community that just so happens to be located within parish limits. Most easily accessible by taking the ferry (which runs every 30 minutes) across the Mississippi, walks along the levy, snacking on freshly shucked oysters and low-key cocktails from bars like Crown and Anchor are the goal. The Point (as it’s known) is serious locals-only territory, so don’t be surprised if after a couple of rounds of darts and beers at Old Point Bar you’re invited back to an impromptu dinner looking out across the river towards Jackson Square.

Know Before You Go: The last ferry returns at 9:45 p.m. on weeknights, so don’t get trapped. (Attempting to swim across the Mississippi River is, obviously, not advised.)

3.
EAT: MoPho

At first blush, the thought of “South Louisiana and Vietnamese fusion” seem like the kind of quirky mash-up cuisine that should…

At first blush, the thought of “South Louisiana and Vietnamese fusion” seem like the kind of quirky mash-up cuisine that should be avoided. Wrong. Under the deft hand of chef Michael Gulotta, MoPho deftly blends the two into a seamless parade of dishes that play to the bold flavor profiles of both spice-loving cultures. Pho, noodles bowls, poboys and more all seamlessly weave together the best of both worlds, and dishes like bone-in beef rib with mayhaw curry, pickled mirliton, smoked onion and sticky rice are singular in their vision.
Know Before You Go: An ever-rotating menu of desserts will all satisfy your sweet tooth. One of the restaurant’s boozy bubble teas (preferably, the Old Fashioned variety with Buffalo Trace, house-made bourbon simple syrup and cherry liqueur) to wrap your meal is also a solid bet.